In April 2009, the United States government declared a public health emergency following outbreaks of H1N1 Influenza A, also known as the “Swine Flu.” Since then, the 2009 H1N1 influenza has been escalated to Phase 6 worldwide pandemic alert level. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that many of the confirmed cases of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza have been in healthy young adults aged 19 to 24.

ALBANY, NEW YORK (WXXI) - Governor Paterson is getting some complaints about his decision to target public colleges and universities in the half a billion dollars worth of budget cuts that he has ordered. Among the critics, are several of his fellow Democrats in the State Senate.

First published in print: Sunday, July 12, 2009 As the State University of New York copes with two years of state funding cuts totaling $334 million, state Sen. Toby Stavisky raises a question worth asking: Why, at a time when SUNY has $450 million in cash, has it apparently rebuffed the Paterson administration's proposal to tap some of that money to offset those budget cuts? It turns out that SUNY has some answers to those questions. But the official word from Chancellor Nancy Zimpher's office is that she won't discuss the matter in public.

By JAMES M. ODATO, Capitol bureau First published in print: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 ALBANY -- It didn't take long for the new State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher to get under a lawmaker's skin.

New York Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith and senior senators visited the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany to receive a firsthand look at the world's leading model for nanotechnology education, research and development, and commercialization, and discuss emerging opportunities to drive high-tech economic investment and growth throughout New York State.

As the H1N1 flu outbreak has developed, it has caused concern among many New Yorkers. The New York State Senate has put together this information sheet to help understand the current situation and the response on all levels. Please see the attached document for further details.

Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky welcomed His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, who delivered the invocation to open the Senate session in Albany on Wednesday, May 6. Sen. Stavisky had the opportunity to meet the holy man and shake his hand, and he wished her peace.

The State Senate passed the MTA budget late Wednesday night, closing the book on decades of mismanagement and fostering reform and a new accountability in the agency. This budget minimizes the devastating fare hikes and service cuts that had previously been suggested as a way to close the MTA’s budget gap, restores service cuts and enacts much-needed oversight.

By TOBY ANN STAVISKY First published: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Deciding where to spend and which cuts can be made are the most difficult decisions any legislator faces. But voters expect their elected officials to make choices, and to stand up and show leadership in bad times as well as good.

A national economic downturn that hit New York particularly hard left the state with a $17 billion budget deficit. However, education was prioritized in the budget we recently passed for the first time in many years.

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and other Queens elected officials attended a briefing at St. Francis Prep with Principal Brother Leonard Conway and officials from the New York State Department of Health regarding the recent cluster of H1N1 (swine) flu cases at the school. The principal and the Department of Health reassured the elected officials that St. Francis Prep has taken all appropriate measures, thoroughly cleaning the school building and filtering and replacing the air inside.

The Northeast Queens community held a rally to oppose construction of 18 two family homes on the Klein Farm site on 73rd Avenue in Fresh Meadows. Because Fresh Meadows has a unique designation as a Preservation District, a zoning change would be necessary. Attending the rally are (left to right) Tami Hirsch, President of the Civic Association of Utopia Estates, Sam Weprin and his dad, Assembly Member Mark Weprin, Senator Stavisky and Council Member David Weprin who organized the rally.